The following incidents were reported to Detachment E of the Alaska State Troopers.
Warrant Arrest: On Oct. 30 at approximately 7:30 a.m., Troopers contacted Joseph Gearhart, age 40 of Anchorage, near mile 47.5 of the Seward Highway during a motorist assist. Gearhart, a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested on a warrant with an original charge of Vehicle Theft II. Gearhart was remanded to Seward Jail pending arraignment.
Assault: On Nov. 2 at 1:21 a.m., a Trooper from Girdwood responded to a Girdwood area residence following a report of an assault. After arriving, an investigation revealed a 54 year old male resident had been assaulted by his girlfriend of six days, Rossena Ruiz, age 31 of Girdwood. Ruiz left the residence prior to the trooper’s arrival but was later located, arrested, and eventually lodged at the Anchorage Jail on the charge of Assault 4th Degree.
Motor Vehicle Collision: On Nov. 3 at approximately 10:30 a.m., a Trooper from Girdwood responded to a motor vehicle crash involving injuries at mile 89 of the Seward Highway, just south of Girdwood. A scene investigation revealed Natalie Gearhart, age 27 of Anchorage, was driving south on the Seward Highway attempting to pass another vehicle when she lost control of her 2000 Ford Excursion. The vehicle left the roadway and rolled, ejecting her out of the driver’s window. Gearhart was transported to an Anchorage area hospital via a Life Guard Helicopter for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. Another passenger in the vehicle was also transported, but was not complaining of injury. Neither Gearhart or her passenger was wearing seatbelts. Excessive speed and icy road conditions were contributing factors in the cause of the crash.
Driving While License Suspended/DUI: On Nov. 4 at approximately 8:40 p.m. a Trooper from Girdwood conducted a traffic stop on a 1991 Isuzu pickup on Crow Creek Road for an equipment violation. Investigation revealed the driver, Cory C. Bernacchi, age 30 of Girdwood was driving on a suspended driver’s license. Bernacchi was issued a summons to appear in court for Driving While License Suspended, and issued citations for No Proof of Insurance and Drinking While Driving. The vehicle was released to another licensed driver.